18 (a). Disused Waterways - BCN Bradley Branch
23rd July 2006

Sometimes known as the Bradley Locks Branch, this arm of the BCN took an almost dead straight course from Moorcroft Junction on the Wallsall Canal to the Old Main Line in Bradley. There were nine locks on the branch of which only the first two are still visible. These pictures concentrate on the north eastern end of the branch which is still recognizable as a former canal. The rest of the route has been completely razed and infilled but nevertheless remains unobstructed. Restoring the branch and connecting it with the remnant of the Old Main Line that runs from Deepfields Junction to Bradely BW workshops would create an interesting and useful east-west link through the Black Country.

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The entrance to the branch at Moorcroft Junction. 13th July 2006. OS: SO973951
The entrance to the branch at Moorcroft Junction. 13th July 2006. OS: SO973951
 Just beyond the junction the canal still retains water. 13th July 2006. OS: SO792951
Just beyond the junction the canal still retains water. 13th July 2006. OS: SO792951
 The towpath along this first section of the branch forms one of the paths in the Moorcroft Wood Nature Reserve. 13th July 2006. OS: SO792951
The towpath along this first section of the branch forms one of the paths in the Moorcroft Wood Nature Reserve. 13th July 2006. OS: SO792951
 The canal looking towards the junction, choked with reeds and balsam. 13th July 2006. OS: SO971950
The canal looking towards the junction, choked with reeds and balsam. 13th July 2006. OS: SO971950
Looking back towards the junction from the first lock. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
Looking back towards the junction from the first lock. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
 The lower end of the first lock. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
The lower end of the first lock. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
 Lock 1. The brickwork was restored prior to infilling. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
Lock 1. The brickwork was restored prior to infilling. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
 An old sofa by the paddle inlet at the top end of the first lock. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
An old sofa by the paddle inlet at the top end of the first lock. 13th July 2006. OS: SO968949
The pound between locks 1 and 2 is crossed on a girder bridge by the GWR's Birmingham - Wolverhampton main line. The railway was disused between 1972 and 1999 but the bridge now carries the Midland Metro. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
The pound between locks 1 and 2 is crossed on a girder bridge by the GWR's Birmingham - Wolverhampton main line. The railway was disused between 1972 and 1999 but the bridge now carries the Midland Metro. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 Bottom end of lock 2 showing a mixture of old and modern brickwork. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Bottom end of lock 2 showing a mixture of old and modern brickwork. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 Lock 2 from the bottom end. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Lock 2 from the bottom end. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 Lock 2 seen from the top end. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Lock 2 seen from the top end. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Top end of lock 2 showing the culvert that allows water to flow towards the junction. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Top end of lock 2 showing the culvert that allows water to flow towards the junction. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 The site of one of the ground paddles on lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
The site of one of the ground paddles on lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 The infilled chamber of lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
The infilled chamber of lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 Evidence that the locks had single gates at the bottom end. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Evidence that the locks had single gates at the bottom end. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Brick edging in the pound above lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Brick edging in the pound above lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 Looking back towards the GWR bridge from above lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Looking back towards the GWR bridge from above lock 2. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 Looking in the opposite direction towards the Great Bridge Road bridge. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
Looking in the opposite direction towards the Great Bridge Road bridge. 13th July 2006. OS: SO967948
 The western side of the Great Bridge Road bridge. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
The western side of the Great Bridge Road bridge. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
Looking back towards the junction from Great Bridge Road. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
Looking back towards the junction from Great Bridge Road. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
 The eastern side of the Great Bridge Road bridge. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
The eastern side of the Great Bridge Road bridge. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
 Close up showing the top of the bricked-up arch. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
Close up showing the top of the bricked-up arch. 13th July 2006. OS: SO966947
 The route of the infilled branch looking east from near Great Bridge Road. Lock 3 must have been located somewhere around here. 13th July 2006. OS: SO965947
The route of the infilled branch looking east from near Great Bridge Road. Lock 3 must have been located somewhere around here. 13th July 2006. OS: SO965947
© 1998-2009 Roger Marks - All copyrights rest with the Author
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